Patriotism Throughout the Centuries

Throughout history, patriotism is an attitude that greatly impacts the success of a nation. Patriotism is sparked amongst the most successful countries because its citizens demonstrate complete support and devotion to its principles and beliefs. The love and devotion which patriotism achieves for a nation is especially apparent in America today, because of the recent hardships it has suffered. However, such patriotism can be traced back to the most ancient times, years before the Common Era. Two great speeches which prove that patriotism was just as alive two thousand years ago as it is today are "The Funeral Oration of Pericles" and President George W. Bush's honorary speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Greeks, especially the Athenians, were extremely proud of their achievements. In Pericles' funeral oration to the Athenians for the men who died in the Peloponnesian War, he stated, "I would have you day by day fix your eyes upon the greatness of Athens, until you become filled with the love of her; and when you are impressed by the spectacle of her glory, reflect that this empire has been acquired by men who knew their duty and had the courage to do it," (page 129). This clearly illustrates the love and dedication the Athenians felt for their nation. Rather than mourning for the loss of the dead, Pericles told his fellow citizens to look around and appreciate what the men died for. Additionally, Pericles mentioned, "I have dwelt upon the greatness of Athens because I want to show you that we are contending for a higher prize than those who enjoy none of these privileges and to establish by manifest proof the merit of those men whom I am now commemorating," (page 128). Pericles meant to say that if they lost the war, they would be losing more than the other countries without the privileges that Athens offered. They would be losing their democracy, superb military, unparallel beauty, and many other amenities. President George W. Bush held...

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...﻿"…Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.”– John F. Kennedy, Presidential Inaugural Speech, 20 January 1961
In the spirit of President Kennedy's famous exhortation, please tell the HKS Admissions Committee what you have accomplished, and what you plan to do in the future, to improve the world through your leadership and commitment to public service.
(Total length not to exceed 1,000 words)
Please type your name and program in the upper right-hand corner of each essay, and clearly mark each essay "Essay #____". Your essays may not be written, edited or translated by anyone but yourself. For security reasons, DO NOT list your social security number on your resume, CV, or essays.
"…Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.”– John F. Kennedy, Presidential Inaugural Speech, 20 January 1961
In the spirit of President Kennedy's famous exhortation, please tell the HKS Admissions Committee what you have accomplished, and what you plan to do in the future, to improve the world through your leadership and commitment to public service.
(Total length not to exceed 1,000 words)
Please type your name and program in the upper right-hand corner of each essay, and clearly mark each essay "Essay #____". Your essays may not be written, edited or translated by anyone but yourself. For security reasons, DO NOT list your social security number on your resume, CV, or essays.
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What is patriotism? Is it serving your country during wartime, or making war on injustice in your hometown? Is it gathering with friends and setting off fireworks, or is patriotism a feeling that transcends words? What is patriotism exactly? Patriotism is loving your country. Patriotism is standing when the national anthem plays. Patriotism is putting your hand on your heart to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Some say it is unpatriotic to oppose the war, but hear me out; say if your kid brings home a bad report card. Are you proud of him? Probably not. But do you still love him? Yes. Loving your family is wanting what's best for them. Loving your country is not just saluting the flag; loving your country is trying to make your country better. Since lately, the issue of patriotism increasingly outdated in many communities in our country at present often dealt. It is because they are busy with their own affairs that led them to ignore other things. In their opinion, the important thing in life is that they should try to find wealth and to find money to increase revenue alone. This is particularly alarming when there are few people who do not care about the national day celebrations. For example, people do not fly the flag of Malaysia's independence anniversary celebrations when the country is run. Plus, people nowadays seen less knowledgeable about...

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Patriots are people who display determination. I always think of the quote “give me liberty or give me death” by Patrick Henry. He never gave up. He continued to stay strong even though he knew that if they failed there was a chance of death. His positive attitude helped us gain independence in our country.
Martin Luther King Jr. also showed patriotism. His speech “I have a dream” helped stop segregation he was willing to fight for what he thought was right for our country. Now anyone can walk into a grocery store and buy milk. No matter what race we are.
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...Patriotism is when you have a feeling of belonging, a feeling of a positive debt towards a larger entity of the nation. We don’t need to serve in the defense forces to show our patriotism. We are a part of a young, educated, and dedicated generation of Pakistan with the ability to understand the society better and do our part for the nation’s uplift. Patriotism is doing what John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” I think this statement is an integral part of what patriotism truly means and this quote of President John F. Kennedy should be written on the first page of each book we teach at school in order to have our students remember that whenever they open their books.
At schools we only teach our students what we can get from our country and focus on our rights in our country and neglect what we can do and give to our country and here where the problem is. Students grow up thinking that their country owes them too many things without realizing what it took this country to be the greatest country in the world.
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...Patriotism is an essentially emotional support for the nation, the homeland. It is not intended to have a rational foundation: soldiers do not fight for a country because it produces more cement than the enemy, but because it is their country. Their patriotism pre-supposes its existence — but not everyone agrees with that. Some Islamists, for instance, reject the legitimacy of the nation-state as such, and despise patriotism as un-Islamic. The loyalty of the Muslim, they say, can only be to the Ummah, the community of all Muslims. In the European Union, patriotism usually coincides with Euroscepticism, and may therefore be rejected on pro-European grounds. Obviously, if one opposes the very existence of nation-states and nations, then there is no reason to value a positive attitude to the nation. For the nationalist, patriotism is a virtue, but that judgment is made within the ethical framework of nationalist beliefs about the value of nations themselves.
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